Later Hours For Phoenix Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Medical marijuana dispensaries will soon get to stay open later in Arizona’s largest city.

Currently, dispensaries in Phoenix are allowed to open no earlier than 8 a.m. and must close by 7 p.m. The city’s hours were established before the state set its rules, which allow dispensaries to stay open as late as 10 p.m.

During Wednesday’s city council meeting, Planning and Development Director Alan Stephenson said eight dispensaries in Phoenix have received variances to stay open later.

“This would allow all of them to be open until 10 p.m.,” he said.

According to a city council report, which summarized medical marijuana dispensary hours at other jurisdictions, only Glendale and Tucson had 10 p.m. closing times. Chandler, Scottsdale and Flagstaff have closing times of 7 p.m. Dispensaries in Gilbert and Tempe must close by 8 p.m. and Mesa and Peoria allow dispensaries to stay open until 9 p.m.

While no members of the public spoke during the public hearing, the Maryvale Village Planning Committee previously voted against the longer hours and the Rio Vista Village Planning Committee asked for stipulations, including more security at dispensaries that stay open later.

The council unanimously approved the later hours which will take effect in early January.